While Steven Moffat and company have remained irritatingly but understandably mum about the plans for Doctor Who‘s 50th Anniversary, the BBC has announced another project to commemorate the event: a TV movie! Now, before you unravel your Paul McGann posters, you should know that this TV movie isn’t an adventure for the Doctor – it’s about the creation of the show in 1963.
Who and Sherlock writer, Mark Gatiss, is set to write the 90-minute telly movie about how a Canadian TV executive, a female producer, and an Indian director bucked all kinds of tradition in the early 1960s to get one of the least likely television hits off the ground. It’ll be a triumphant story, to be sure.
In a statement, Gatiss said:
“This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true Television original. And how an actor – William Hartnell – stereotyped in hard-man roles became a hero to millions of children. I’ve wanted to tell this story this for more years than I can remember! To make it happen for ‘Doctor Who”s 50th birthday is quite simply a dream come true.”
And Moffat, who will executive produce the movie along with fellow Who producer, Caroline Skinner, added:
“The story of Doctor Who is the story of television – so it’s fitting in the anniversary year that we make our most important journey back in time to see how the TARDIS was launched.â€
No word yet on casting or air date, but we’ll be sure to pass on the word when such news arises.
Also loved Gatiss in those spoof shorts on the Beginnings box. Those were pretty funny, wonder if they’ll go that route. BTW Verity Lambert might be the best name ever.
Love this. One of the reasons I picked up the “Beginings” DVD was to get at thsoe behind the scenes docs about the origins of the show. Can’t wait!
Yeah, there was a lot of speculation on whether this would be a “Doctor Who Movie.” Glad to see that the details have been somewhat conveyed to the fans.
Reason #3942 to be proud to be Canadian: a Canuck was partially responsible for Doctor Who.
And a Canadian bear at London Zoo was the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh.
You’re welcome, Britain…
The words “90 min drama” translates to TV movie to me
This is exciting. I’m already having so much fun watching the BBC America’s Doctor Who specials. So excited for the women of Doctor Who this Saturday! And of course The Nerdist afterwards with a tribute to Nerdy women.
There is no mention of the word ‘movie’ on the BBC article’s page…